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Review (just saw DVD)
Date: 02-11-2007
By: raccoonradio
( Topic#: 199 )
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I just submitted this review to Internet Movie Database
A SUMMER STORY, aka IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY (1994)
A ten year old boy helps his dad in a "war" against hillbilly
neighbors, and also finds himself on the way to manhood when Dad takes
him fishing, while Mom leads a revolt against the "Ronald-Coleman-gravy-boat-again" Dish Nights at the local theatre. The same boy tries to beat the school bully in a "top" competition...an episode of The Simpsons? No--it's the sequel to A Christmas Story: Jean Shepherd's "My Summer Story", aka
"It Runs in the Family".
Shepherd again narrates. He was a legendary humorist and radio personality who indirectly inspired "A Boy Named Sue" and whose Christmas tale has become a cult hit thanks to cable TV marathons. Here, we get to see Ralphie at a time of year when boys DON'T try to stick their tongues to flagpoles. The Old Man is played by Charles Grodin, whose gruff manor--but at times, joie de vivre--is in the spirit of Darren McGavin,
who played that role in ACS; while Mom is played by Mary Steenbergen
(Back to the Future Pt 3). And if Shepard's narration makes you
think "Wonder Years", be aware that "A Christmas Story" used the
"adult narrator recalling his youth" device several years before
the ABC series came about (wonder where they got the idea!)
Very funny, warm hearted, and nostalgic.
I'm this kid, see...
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